Escobar enjoys being in tight spot

Ask someone to identify a tight end who has great hands, wears No. 88, owns a basketball background and went to high school in Orange County, and most people would respond with the Atlanta Falcons' future Hall of Famer, Tony Gonzalez.

Later this week, there will be another player with those characteristics joining the NFL.

Santa Margarita High graduate and former San Diego State Aztec Gavin Escobar is set complete his unconventional journey from high school wide receiver to NFL tight end.

Hearing his name called during the NFL Draft was probably one of the last things on Escobar's mind when he was recruited in high school.

Escobar, who played receiver exclusively as an Eagle, pulled in only one Division I scholarship offer, which came from San Diego State.

"We saw a lot of potential," said current Michigan coach Brady Hoke, who recruited Escobar as a member of his first recruiting class at San Diego State. "He had great range, length and was athletic."

After committing to the Aztecs, Escobar redshirted in 2009 while getting used to a position – tight end – he had never played.

Escobar acknowledged putting his hand on the ground and learning how to block was something new to him.

He learned rather quickly, as 2010 was a breakout season for Escobar. The redshirt freshman started 12 of the team's 13 games, caught 29 passes for 323 yards and four touchdowns, good enough to be named second team All-Mountain West.

It was also during the 2010 season when Escobar realized he had a chance to reach the NFL.

"I had a coach in high school during the recruiting process who told me if I played tight end, then I'd have a shot at making it (professionally)," Escobar said. "At the time, it was just words. Then I started playing a lot and saw guys around me going to the NFL."

His first year as a starter was just a preview of what was to come. In his sophomore and junior seasons combined, Escobar hauled in 93 catches for 1,323 yards while scoring 13 times.

His performance on the field for three years was enough evidence for Escobar to declare early for the draft.

Unlike when he was entering college, Escobar is highly regarded by many pundits.

In a conference call earlier this month, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. said Escobar is in the discussion to be selected late in the second to the middle of the third round.

NFL.com's Gil Brandt also thinks highly of him.

"He's a good football player and catches the ball well," Brandt said. "He'll probably be the third tight end taken."

In his most recent Hot 100, where Brandt ranks his 100 best prospects, Escobar was slotted at No. 63.

There are rave reviews for Esobar's catching ability, but his blocking has come into question. He knows it's an area of his game he needs to improve.

But Escobar displayed the toughness necessary to improve in the run game when he broke his hand as a sophomore against Air Force and still started the final seven games of the season.

"We wouldn't have recruited him if he didn't have that toughness," Hoke said. "He's going to mature physically, get more mature in the weight room, and get that older man strength (which will help his blocking)."

With most teams placing a newfound emphasis on tight ends, Escobar – who has worked out for the Eagles, Raiders and Falcons – is entering the NFL at a perfect time.

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